China-SCO free trade zone needs to be additionally looked into, says premier

ST. PETERSBURG, November 7./TASS/. The issue of creation of a free trade zone between China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) needs to be additionally looked into, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a news conference following talks with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. "China and Russia are important participants in the SCO. We are interested in advancing regional integration and liberalization of trade in that region," the Chinese premier said. "Looking into the expedience of creating a zone of free trade takes time. But the rules have been established. First, we must jointly abide by the existing rules of the World Trade Organization," he added. In discussing the free trade zone it is also necessary to take into consideration concerns of the parties, he said. China and Russia, "as major neighboring countries, should take into consideration each other’s concerns," Li Keqiang said. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization brings together China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Read more